REPOST FROM 2022: Hiking The Pacific Crest Trail with Chris Townsend

In the very first podcast from Just Up The Trail, I sat down with hiker, writer and outdoorsman, Chris Townsend.

Just Up The Trail is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Chris’ book “Rattlesnakes and Bald Eagles” inspired me to move on from single day hikes and mountain days to the bigger challenge of multi-day backpacking trips. I read it one Christmas and by Easter we were hiking the the West Highland Way.

Chris has hiked many miles over the years and written over 25 books about his trips and the outdoors but today he joins me to discuss his 1982 hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, the 2653 mile trail from Mexico to Canada, and the book that inspired me to got out further and longer.

During the conversation we touch on:

* How a young man from Lancashire finds out about a ribbon of trail halfway around the world, in 1980.

* Chris’ first encounter with the heat of desert hiking

* The importance of solitude in the outdoors

* How the PCT defined the next 40 years of his life.

A massive thank you to Chris for coming out to play and being the very first contributor to what promises to be a wonderful library of stories and adventure from the outdoors.

A little more about Chris Townsend

Chris Townsend writes regularly for TGO Magazine and has written 22 books on the outdoors, including the award winning The Backpacker's Handbook. His recent publications feature two long-distance walks he undertook in the USA. Grizzly Bears and Razor Clams documents his hike on the Pacific Northwest Trail and Rattlesnakes and Bald Eagles his 1982 hike on the Pacific Crest Trail as well as more recently, Along The Divide in which he walks 700 miles of the Scottish watershed.

You can find Chris’ writings and musings on his extensive blog www.christownsendoutdoors.com, on Substack Chris Townsend and his books on Sandstone Press here.

Keep in Touch

Keep up to to date with developments and guest announcements on our social media pages as well as loads of extra stuff on the website

Substack: www.justupthetrail.com

Instagram: @justupthetrail

Just Up The Trail is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

A little while ago I spent my lunch break sat by the lake on campus. Its was a wonderfully chilled time.

I find listening to my surroundings through my audio recorder/headphones adds a very mindful/locked in experience when initially I thought it would be a barrier to the kind of immersion I’m looking for. I guess everything is amplified and heightened.

The XY mic capsule gives a great stereo spread but I might try something with my Binaural Microphones next time and try for somewhat 360° feel

www.justupthetrail.com

JUST UP THE TRAIL: SOUNDS OF THE TRAIL #1b THE NEW FOREST NATIONAL PARK (DAY 2)

Join me, Rob Jones, as I hike across The New Forest National Park.

In late April 2025 I hiked 18 miles across the New Forest from the park boundary near New Milton to the park boundary near Totton. As I passed through the woods and across the heaths I recorded the sounds and kept something of an audio trail journey in an attempt to bring you a representation of my experience over 2 days.

It's not perfect by any means but it is an idea of what I think this podcast could be... an immersive representation of my time on trail.

In this second episode, covering the second day of the hiking trip, I walk from Brockenhurst to Totton through Ancient Woodlands, scrubby pasture and under some of the biggest skies I've seen in a long time. Along the way I remember what I love about the New Forest National Park and pick up some distinct Lonesome Dove vibes

________________________________________________

🥾⛰️🎒Find out more and get involved on Substack. Find blog posts and updates direct from the trails and from the planning desk and get new audio episodes and notes from the trail journal directly to your inbox.

🏕️⛰️⛺️ Access extra content and help forward the project with a Free Membership on Patreon Notes from the planning stages of forthcoming hikes and updates from the editing desk as I put together the sounds I collect on trail

📸🏞️🌄 Keep up with the adventures on Instagram, Audio AND Visuals direct from the trails while I’m hiking and collecting sounds

Just Up The Trail is written and produced by Rob Jones

www.justupthetrail.com